opening day on the O.C. Diver

[waterpirate]

So opening day found us leaving the inlet in flat seas and a wispy fog bound for the Marine Electric. We arrived to lake atlantic, and getting the hook in the spot we wanted proved a little tricky. The gremlins were out in full force, as 1 diver tore a wrist seal on the boat beyond repair. Diver 2 who was going to set the hook, had a catastrophic boot failure on splash, so he was out and done prior to starting.

My launch proved to be un eventfull. I found my way down the chain and the hook had ended up right where we wanted it. Tie in was easy peasy, and off I went. she is a big hulking Ditch, for anyone who has not dove her. I enjoyed a dark 40 foot of vis, and 54 on the bottom. Lobsters were scarce, but the taug and sea bass were there in clouds. 70 degrees on the hang and the day was done.

Eric

 

[Randy g]

Good dive to start the season with Eric. We are diving the Patomic in a couple weeks then it's full on in July.

 

[waterpirate]

Randy,
I will continue to post weekly dive reports. It saddens my heart that the mid atlantic forum has become a discussion of closed fresh water dives, ad nauseum. Please FSW divers, post your reports or people will start to think the only place to dive in the mid atlantic is NOT the ocean.

YMMV
Eric

 

[Randy g]

It is truely ashamed that there are very few dive boats and even less divers hitting our amazing part of the big pool.

 

[pasadenatim]

Heading out on Jeremiah's boat next month. Fenwick shoals, so hoping for some decent vis. Our conditions in the Mid Atlantic can be iffy with seas and visibility off MD, so I think a lot of divers don't want to bother with the it. Similar conditions to NC, with respect to seas and procedures, but not the same with marine life and wrecks. I've always enjoyed the OC and DE wrecks. Want to get back to the Nina some time. Keep the reports coming. Always look forward to learning of new sites and conditions.

 

[waterpirate]

This weekends report is not forthcoming due to 25knt. winds and horizontal rain.
Eric

 

[waterpirate]

We are currently under a tornado watch..... 2 sundays in a row weather gods. Uncle already
Eric

 

[Randy g]

We were supposed to head out east, off VB this weekend as well.

No joy!

 

[pasadenatim]

Got out to Fenwick Shoals yesterday off MD/DL coast. Was a full charter. Was a little bumpy on the ride out, and once on the reef, there was a pretty noticeable current running North. Wasn't sure how the visibility would be. Captain dropped anchor on the boiler and was hooked well. The entry and descent along granny and anchor lines were challenging in the current. Got to the boiler and tied off a line to run to the reef. Dropped down to the sand at 30 ft. and found the current much better to manage and was surprised with 10-15 ft visibility. Temp was a balmy 69F on the bottom. Was a large southern ray lying on the sand, a ton of sea robin's rummaging on the bottom, One spearo bagged a variety of flounder, taug, an a jack. Second dive was about the same. Was a good day overall, and glad to get out for a dive. Great Captain and D/M. Shooting for a trip out to the screw wreck next.

 

[waterpirate]

Glad to hear the shoals were doable, Saturday and Sunday were blown out offshore. We are going on wed. and fri. though so hopefully a fishy report is coming!
Eric